You’ve seen the photos. Maybe you were scrolling through Instagram and saw a woman in a bright red winter jacket or a navy strapless swimsuit looking like she just stepped off a 1980s film set. Then you saw the name. Christie Brinkley.
It’s a name that honestly feels like it’s been around forever, yet she looks like she’s discovered some fountain of youth hidden in the Hamptons. So, let’s get the big question out of the way immediately. How old is Christie Brinkley? As of right now, in early 2026, Christie Brinkley is 71 years old.
She was born on February 2, 1954. That means she just celebrated her 71st birthday a few weeks ago. While most people are eyeing retirement or slowing down at that age, Brinkley seems to be picking up speed. She’s still landing covers, running a prosecco empire, and jumping on TikTok trends with her kids. It’s kinda wild when you think about the fact that she’s been a household name for over five decades.
How Old is Christie Brinkley and Why Does Everyone Keep Asking?
People aren't just curious about her birth certificate because they like numbers. They ask because there’s a massive disconnect between how she looks and what we expect a 71-year-old to look like. We’ve been conditioned to think 70 means a certain level of "slowing down." Christie didn't get the memo.
Born Christie Lee Hudson in Monroe, Michigan, she actually spent her formative years in California. She was a self-described "surfer girl" who didn't even think she looked like a model. That’s probably the most relatable thing about her—that she was just a kid from Malibu who got discovered in a post office in Paris back in 1973.
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Think about that timeline.
When she was discovered, she was 19. By the time she became the face of CoverGirl—a partnership that lasted a record-breaking 25 years—she was already a superstar. Most models are "aged out" of the industry by 30. Christie just kept going. She appeared on three consecutive Sports Illustrated Swimsuit covers in 1979, 1980, and 1981. That was 45 years ago.
The Secret to the "Uptown Girl" Glow
Honestly, it’s not just one thing. If you’re looking for a magic pill, you won’t find it. Christie has been a vegetarian since she was 13 years old. She saw a slaughterhouse and that was it—no meat, ever again. She’s famously said that if you stop moving, you "rot," which is a pretty blunt way to put it, but she lives by it.
She uses a Total Gym (yep, the one from the infomercials with Chuck Norris) and she actually uses it. She bikes, she skis, and she gardens. She’s also been very open about the "tweakments" she uses. Unlike some stars who pretend they just drink lots of water, Christie has talked about using Xeomin for frown lines and Ultherapy for her neck.
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But here’s the kicker: she’s started pushing back against the "Wrinkle Brigade" on social media. She’s recently said she’s more comfortable letting her laugh lines show. She wants a little "life" to show on her face rather than looking "preserved" or waxy. It’s a refreshing take for someone whose entire career has been built on her appearance.
The Business of Being Christie
She isn't just a face; she’s a mogul. Her net worth is estimated at around $100 million in 2026.
While a lot of that came from her modeling contracts, a huge chunk is actually from smart real estate moves. She bought property in the Hamptons decades ago when it was expensive, but not "stratospheric" expensive. Now, her Tower Hill compound in Bridgehampton is worth a fortune. She also has her Bellissima Prosecco line, which is organic and vegan, because of course it is.
Family Life and the Next Generation
Christie has three kids who are basically her mini-mes.
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- Alexa Ray Joel (40): Her daughter with Billy Joel. She’s a talented musician in her own right.
- Jack Paris Brinkley Cook (30): Her son with Richard Taubman. He’s the most private of the bunch but has dipped his toes into the business world with ride-share apps.
- Sailor Brinkley-Cook (27): Her daughter with Peter Cook. She’s followed her mom directly into modeling and even filled in for her on Dancing with the Stars when Christie broke her arm.
Seeing Christie with her kids is when you really notice her age, but mostly because they look like siblings. It’s a testament to her energy. She’s lived through four marriages, a helicopter crash in 1994 that led to a hip replacement in 2021, and decades of public scrutiny.
Why the Number Matters
Knowing how old Christie Brinkley is matters because she’s redefining aging for a whole generation. In her new memoir, Uptown Girl, released in 2025, she talks about how the "big 7-0" used to cast a shadow over her. But now that she’s through it, she’s realized it’s just another chapter.
She’s active on social media, she’s political, and she’s still working. She’s not trying to look 20; she’s trying to look like the best version of 71. And honestly? It’s working.
If you want to take a page out of the Christie Brinkley handbook for aging well, start with the basics she swears by. Focus on a plant-based diet, find a type of movement you actually enjoy so you’ll keep doing it, and don't be afraid of the sun—just wear a massive hat and slather on the SPF. Most importantly, keep that "attitude of gratitude" she always talks about. It sounds cheesy, but when you look at her, it’s hard to argue with the results.
The best next step is to look at your own routine. You don't need a Hamptons mansion to start a vegetarian-leaning diet or to commit to 20 minutes of movement a day. That's the real lesson from Christie's 71 years: consistency wins every time.